anniversary last week with a special visit by renowned instructor Sensei Teruyuki Okazaki of Philadelphia.

Okazaki, who is an eighth degree black belt in JKA Shotokan karate, was present to conduct training classes and examinations over the weekend.

Regular classes were held on Friday evening, a trainee class on Saturday morning followed by black belt examinations and junior class exams in the afternoon, all overseen by Okazaki.

Saturday evening witnessed a banquet at the Royal Palms Hotel, where past and present JKA members were able to celebrate their promotions.

A special presentation was made to Okazaki, and Mark Tailford was also rewarded for his 25 years of training in karate as well as his 20 years of instruction with the JKA of Bermuda.

Tailford is the local chief instructor and over the weekend was promoted to the rank of Godan (fifth degree black belt) of which there are just 15 in the Americas and the Caribbean.

Okazaki is due to return to Bermuda in August to help in the preparation of the Island's team to take part in the 1995 JKA/ISKF Pan Am tournament to be held in Jamaica.

JKA holds regular classes at Astwood Hall on Church Street, Hamilton on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. For further information call 238-3436.

IN THE MASTER'S COMPANY -- Local karate practitioners Nigel Williams (left) and Mark Tailford (right) flank visiting Japan Karate Association instructor Teruyuki Okazaki who was in Bermuda for the local JKA's 20th anniversary celebrations.